The best cymbals in the world today

UPDATED: budget sets to high-end pro pieces

The best cymbals in the world today

This is a gallery of the best cymbals on the planet - from modern budget sets to warm high-end pieces, there's a cymbal set here to suit every drummer and drumming style.

All the cymbals here are hand-picked from the buyers' guide pages of Rhythm magazine following a gruelling test process. So, have a browse and be sure to click through to read the full review for an in-depth look at each cymbal.

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Stagg Double Hammered cymbals

From £18

MusicRadar’s verdict:

The rise of Stagg as a favoured budget cymbal brand has been an interesting development over the last couple of years. Proving that value is as important as profile at this end of the sector, the company has been making quite a name for itself. If your budget is limited, then the Stagg Double Hammered offering is a must-see.

Meinl Classic Custom series cymbals

From £63

MusicRadar’s verdict:

These cymbals are good, honest, clean-sounding, intermediate-priced Euro-style cymbals aimed at the more aggressive youth market. They also have plenty of character. A massive step up from your budget starter cymbals in quality and tone.

Meinl Byzance cymbals

From £65

MusicRadar’s verdict:

These recent Byzances include some of the most extraordinary-looking cymbals with fantastic, beautiful colours. But more importantly they are also colourful sounding.Every cymbal here is entertaining; any of them will add exotic shades to your set-up.

Sabian Cymbal Vote 2013 Winners Series

From £128

MusicRadar’s verdict:

The Cymbal Vote is all about showcasing Sabian's imaginative designs and innovative manufacturing and these winning entries certainly reflect these qualities. The four models possess different characteristics, but they are all strong performers.

Meinl M-Series cymbals

From £130

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Regarded by Meinl as a benchmark for all-round professional cymbals, the M-Series is especially signiﬁcant as it is the ﬁrst range of B20 cymbals manufactured entirely in the company's German factory.Some purists might point to a lack of human input in the manufacturing (though ﬁve years' R&D would clearly require a lot of decision-making).The fact is that a lot of cymbals are made largely by machines today - let your ears do the choosing.

Sabian Xs20 cymbals

From £130

MusicRadar’s verdict:

The Xs20s introduced B20 cast bronze cymbals to the mid-level market, and they have been improved with a new hand-lathing approach that sees wide grooves etched into the surface. The high tin content aligns the Xs20 with higher-priced cymbals, but without the price tag. Good all-rounders for reasonable money, then.

Zildjian K cymbals

From £143

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Legendary cymbals with an illustrious history that are still the benchmark by which all warm cymbals are judged. Zildjian has ensured that the brand has moved with the times introducing new models that combine the classic K sound with more strident voicing, making them as relevant for contemporary musical situations as they are for jazz.

BUY: Paiste Precision Series cymbals currently available from:UK: ThomannFR: Thomann

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Zildjian K Custom cymbals

From £149

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Although the K Custom line is described by Zildjian as the modern jazz voice, these cymbals all have a wider appeal.These two gorgeous looking rides - plus a hit-and-run Trash-Smash - make excellent additions to the range.

Murat Diril cymbals

From £160

MusicRadar’s verdict:

With their remarkable heritage and Murat Diril's special experience, these cymbals offer another hugely attractive alternative in what is becoming a crowded market of genuine hand-made cymbals from Turkey.

Amedia Crash, Ride and Hi-hat cymbals

From £165

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Amedia offers a huge, temptingly different and potentially bewildering selection of genuinely hand-crafted cymbals, made in the time-honoured Turkish manner. Prices are, at the moment, exceptionally attractive.

Matt Nolan cymbals

From £170

MusicRadar’s verdict:

We really enjoyed these cymbals. It's always refreshing to encounter instruments that are genuinely different from the pack. And individual British cymbalmakers are rare. Hopefully this is just the start for an exciting new name in cymbals.

Zildjian Z3 cymbals

From £209

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Following on from the classic Z and Z Custom Ranges, Zildjian’s Z3 Series come stacked with enough high frequencies to cut across in the heaviest of situations. New lathing and hammering techniques mean the Z3s don’t have to rely so much on sheer weight to get their point across and so are kinder on the wrists.

Zildjian Avedis cymbals

From £268

MusicRadar’s verdict:

The original Zildjian range, Avedis cymbals have featured on countless recordings over the decades. Their bright, full-bodied and colourful sound enables them to shine in just about any musical situation. Available in a huge variety of weights and sizes, Avedis cymbals have been used by drummers from Buddy Rich to Lars Ulrich.

Zildjian A Custom cymbals

From £268

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Originally designed for Vinnie Colaiuta, A Customs are a modern interpretation of the classic Zildjian A sound. With heavier weights, rotary hammering patterns and a high blinding finish, A Customs are powerful yet articulate cymbals. Amongst the conventional crash, ride and hi-hat models are a growing number of newer and distinctly radical effects cymbals.

Paiste Black Alpha 'Hyper' cymbals

£560

MusicRadar’s verdict:

The selection in this set will be enough to whet your appetite but the RRP but could well dry it up again and put you off any potential purchase - fortunately the 'street price' will make this a more palatable purchasing proposition for what is a versatile set of cymbals.

Sabian Xs20 Brilliant Finish cymbals

£852

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Those stepping up from beginner's cymbals will find the Xs20s noticeably nicer on the ear. For that extra timbral character though, you have to take the next step into the realms of really expensive cymbals. But for now these will do very well.

Factory Metal

£TBC

MusicRadar’s verdict:

While everybody uses cymbals from the big brands, sometimes it pays to look elsewhere for exotica. And cymbals don’t come any more exotic than Factory Metal’s StackBasherz, Gothic Radius and Celtic Bells. Funky-looking and ideal for industrial bludgeon, eerie soundtracks and crunching sampled beats, they’re a breath of fresh air.

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Soultone Cymbals

£TBC

MusicRadar’s verdict:

These are fine instruments that possess musicality and character while being versatile enough to perform in many situations.